STAND. COM. REP. NO. 741

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 125

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 125, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the continuing education, evaluation, and services to obtain necessary employment skills.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Establishes an employment training and placement program for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

     (2)  Requires the Department of Human Services to work in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Department of Health in establishing the employment and placement program;

     (3)  Requires the Department of Human Services to seek a Medicaid waiver for funding of the program; and

     (4)  Makes an appropriation as matching state funding to federal funds for the employment training and placement program.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Patricia McManaman, Interim Director, Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities encounter many difficulties when attempting to enter the workforce.  Matching federal funds would allow for much needed training and employment opportunities for those who are transitioning from formal education and waiver programs.  Additionally, an employment training and placement program will develop more effective employment systems for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, improving their employability.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amount of the appropriation to an unspecified sum; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 125, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 125, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair